THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- The occurrence of menopause before age 47 correlates with increased osteoporosis at age 77, increased incidence of fragility fractures, and increased mortality, according to a study published online April 25 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Ola Svejme, M.D., from Lund University in Malmö, Sweden, and colleagues conducted a prospective evaluation of the long-term effects of early menopause on the risk of osteoporosis, fragility fractures, and mortality in 390 white women, aged 48 at baseline. Menopause status was assessed at baseline and women were classified into early (before age 47) and late (age 47 or older) menopause. Bone mineral density in the forearm was evaluated by single-photon absorptiometry (SPA) at baseline. At age 77, bone mineral density was reassessed in the forearm by SPA and measured in the proximal femur and lumbar spine by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Mortality rate and fracture incidence were recorded up to age 82.
The researchers found that women with early menopause had an increased risk of osteoporosis at age 77 (risk ratio, 1.83), fragility fracture (risk ratio, 1.68), and mortality (risk ratio, 1.59).
"We can conclude that a menopause before age 47 is associated with an increased risk of mortality, fragility fractures and osteoporosis at age 77," the authors write.
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